Gemstone 2009 Estate Red – Wine of the Week Review

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Gemstone 2009 Estate Red Wine

Price: $80 Rating: 14.5/20 Region: Napa Valley (Yountville), California Varietals: 71 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 21 percent Merlot, 4 percent Petit Verdot, 4 percent Cabernet Franc Alcohol: 15.4 percent Tasting Notes: Gemstone, a small, family-owned vineyard, concentrates on making red wines from Bordeaux varietals. The winemaker, Philippe Melka, consults on many estate wineries including Vineyard 29 in addition to running Melka Wines (makers of Métisse and CJ Cabernet Sauvignon) with his wife Cherie. The fruit for this red blend was grown on six small estate blocks on the sixteen-acre Gemstone vineyard along the Silverado Trail near the town of Yountville in Napa Valley, then aged for seventeen months in 40 percent French oak barrels. Only 1,250 cases of this supple, well-structured wine were produced. The blend features blackberry, chocolate and a hint of minerality on the palate. Food Pairings: Skirt steak, pasta with meat sauce, lamb For more information, visit www.gemstonevineyard.com Other Meritages we have tasted Check out GAYOT’s Napa Valley Destination Guide